Christmas time.......

Wow! can't believe a whole week has gone by since my last "advent calender" post.  So much has happened.  Alice came home from Moscow, it was lovely to have her home and we had fun cooking a feast together.  Jared came back from Uni, I think he found it a bit quiet at home after living in a mad student house!

 Nine plus a baby and a dog on Christmas day filled our house with people!  Alice cooked lunch with a little help from my sister!  We had turkey rolled and stuffed for those who don't like beef, rib of beef for those who do and a nut roast for those who don't like either.  This was served with veg from the allotment - brussel sprouts, potatoes (mashed and roast) parsnips and carrots (felt very proud to do this) also swede and peas, Yorkshire puddings, little sausages, stuffing, bread sauce and cranberry sauce!  

The pudding was quite a hit - sticky date and raisin pudding with rum butter (we ran out of brandy!!) ice cream and a great big flaming fountain on top!

It was lovely to spend some time with my sister, here we are on Christmas day!

There were two cakes on my dresser!  this is the rich fruit cake with marzipan and icing that I made and....

The gingerbread house that Alice and Jared made, there were some silver balls left over!  Just to point out that it was made from scratch, not a kit!!

More guests on Boxing day and a buffet for lunch! 

Mr HH and me!

It has been non stop from the beginning of November, making gifts, shopping, writing cards, cleaning and cooking.  Attending parties, meals out and other events, 3 days spent with various family members, I have loved every minute of the planning and organising but then yesterday nothing - oh it was lovely to go to the allotment and do a bit of digging and then come home and knit - what joy! 
Looking forward to a New Years Eve Ceroc party tomorrow night and then two birthdays to prepare for -  more cake! 

 

the very last advent calender

Tuesday 24 December 

Christmas eve!

Well I've done it!  I have posted an advent photo every day!

This is the finished gingerbread house that head chef Alice and assistant Jared made the other evening.  They have reached the grand ages of 24 and 21 and never made a gingerbread house, oh how deprived they have been, what a bad mother I have been to have never suggested this before! Anyway it looks wonderful, a centrepiece for the dresser!

In case you missed any of the other advent posts here they all are

 So off for a glass of Baileys, hang up my stocking and brace myself for the mad house of nine plus a baby for lunch tomorrow...........

Happy Christmas to all my blog friends, hope you all have a lovely day!

Advent calendar

Monday 23 December

And breathe.........

Last day at work for 10 days, I am so looking forward to a break, time to spend with the family, time to cook and maybe time to do a bit of crochet?
Last minute supermarket shop this afternoon, just need to pick up the meat from the butchers tomorrow. Then a quick wizz round with the cleaner and ice the cake and I am done! (well not quite, Alice and I have quite a long cooking list)
The photo is of my mantelpiece, the greenery is precariously wedged and balanced  just don't touch it!

Advent calendar

Sunday 22 December

A quiet day

I have had a fairly quiet following two late nights! Danced all night at the Ceroc Christmas party last night. Today my legs ache, my feet ache and I am worn out!  But what fun it was!
Alice has been busy cooking, the ham is cooked, 3 types of chocolate truffles made and a ginger bread  house baked. Jared and her are decorating it together. I think they are going to use up all the silver balls I had.saved for the cake.
Only one day at work this week - woo!

Advent calendar

Saturday 21 December

Happy winter solstice!

The shortest day of the year and I think probably the darkest, it was very dull here all day and dark even earlier, the chickens went to bed just after 3.30! 
After today the sun will begin it's journey back nearer to us and the days will get longer and longer, those that do a school run will notice it when they go back in January.
It was raining too much to go out and pick any greenery so just lit loads of candles to celebrate.

Advent calendar

Friday 20th December

Happy! To be driving 85 miles in the blustery wind and rain to pick Alice up from Gatwick airport. Happy! To see her after being away for over 3 months. Not happy to pay £2.19 for a bottle of water at the airport!
Home far too late to post this on the right day!

Advent calendar

Thursday 19the December

Tea cosy ta da!

Was beginning to think that I would never get this finished. Had a bit of trouble with the frilled edge, still not sure that I followed the instructions properly. And then in no time last night I did the holly and sewed it up.
Mr Hh was a bit unsure and asked what it was exactly
A Christmas pudding tea cosy!!!